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Thursday, September 30, 2010

Look what came in the mail for me! Isn't this great? I purchased this from an Etsy store called Big Orange Dog. This necklace is back in the store. You can order one, too! All the proceeds from this store go to the Minnesota Greyhound Rescue (MGR).Pixie was rescued by this wonderful organization! Thank you, MGR!

Now, let's look at some other items in the Big Orange Dog.

I love this print! The eyes say it all! What a beautiful animal! I see that look in Pixie's eyes, too. Jen captured Crisco so beautifully in this print!

Sunhound! What a perfect name for this painting. The heart of the flower is the hound. I love it!

Look at another part of Jen's heart.I love the background on this beautiful work of wearable art. Jen is a true artist! Her love of her subject comes through in her work.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

This is a real day: September 28: Ask a stupid question day. This is the day you can feel free to ask all the questions you thought were stupid.

As a former teacher, I used to say, and I'm sure you remember this from school, "There is no such thing as a stupid question."

In actuality, there really are stupid questions, but we should never be afraid to ask them. Someone might know the answer.

My favorite quotation is from Forest Gump: Stupid is as stupid does.However, if you get an answer to your question, that's not stupid at all. So, free yourself up today. Ask all the questions you want.

Although not a stupid question, one of my favorite questions was: Dad, were you and Mom as pure as you say you were before you got married? Well, let's just move along and ask other questions now.

Sunday, September 26, 2010

She lies. This beautiful animal lies. She claims she doesn't have gasssssss, much less smelly gasssssss, but she lies. Don't believe her. I hear a quick or not so quick, "Fssssssstttt."Next I hear a sigh. She feels better.Next, I leave the room. Just remember, she lies!

Saturday, September 25, 2010

When I was a teacher and attended the mandatory workshops, we were always given tests on learning styles to make us more aware of the need to teach to the student rather than to the test. When I was tested, I always tested Random/Random. What did that mean? I'm very creative, but I have to make changes to keep from getting bored. You know that kid that daydreams a lot? Yes, it's me! Random/Random.Here's what I've been making.

Angels---------------------------------->

Assorted beads---------------------------------->

Different styles of hollows--------------------------------->

Cabs--------------------------------->

Now how fun is that! Random/RandomI sure learn a lot with that learning style! It's fun!

Friday, September 24, 2010

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1) Jenny and Nick were both home last weekend, and we had a great time! We attended a wedding. Congratulations, Mark and Melissa! We played. We watched TV. It was just a great weekend. I also bought a new TV which Jenny and Nick helped me to set up. Thanks, guys!!!!

2) Pixie and I celebrated her 1 year homecoming. It's hard to believe that she and I have been a team now for one year. She's come so far in a year. Both of the kids are now saying that she really is acting like a dog. She's become part of our family.

3) The seasons officially changed this week. We are no longer in summer, but we are in fall. I love the idea of the cooler temperatures, the turning leaves, the cool rains, but what comes after autumn, well, I won't even go there now. I want to enjoy every second of this season.

This candle is called Amish Friendship Bread. Does that bring back wonderful memories from the Amish Friendship breads that used to circulate among those of use who needed the starter. Wasn't that great? Did you see the photo in the listing? Nummy!

The holidays are coming. Here's a holiday special that's hard to resist.It's a Holiday Trio which consists of Gingerbread Cookie, Hot Apple Pie, and Pumpkin Pie. The best part of this is that there are no calories, only wonderful scents! Nummy!

I see this store as another great way to get your Christmas shopping done very early and without fighting the crowds at a mall. Who wants that when you have such great stores as these? Have a look. Enjoy and buy!

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I've "known" Eileen as an online friend for several years now. She's been an Etsy vendor and has an amazing blog.

She's made a switch now in the direction of her Etsy store. There are so many new and exciting items in her store, and two of these items are on their way to me! I am so excited!

This brooch is a new item in her Etsy store. You can actually wear it as a brooch or a pendant. It's all up to you! Don't you just love it? It's all handmade. Eileen is a multi talented woman!

These bottle cap necklaces are a new addition to Dorset Hill Beads. This is another one of my favorites! Remember the 60's? Well, if you don't, this is a good way to see what happened! Just kidding! I love this bottle cap jewelry, and there is more to see of this in the shop.

Now, we mustn't forget the glass. This is one of my favorite glass pieces in Eileen's shop. Isn't this button beautiful? There's more glass like this in Eileen's shop. Be prepared to spend some time looking.

This was only a quick preview, so take a good look and remember, Christmas is coming faster than you think. What a great way to get your shopping finished early and not have to fight the crowds at the mall. Eileen's store is the place to go.

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

If you love glass, you're going to find a wonderful store on Etsy called Leslie Dana Designs! Wow! There is some awesome glass there!

Take a look at this great cab. It's one of a kind fused dichroic glass. I love the peace sign in the corner. I love the colors here! Wow! It's my kind of glass.

And that's not all. Let's look to see what else is in her store.

Need some beautiful hair jewelry for grown ups? How about this Desert Sunset Pony Tail Holder? This truly looks like a sunset. I see blue, purple, copper, and gold in this one of a kind piece of hair jewelry. Wow! It's amazing! If only my hair were long enough. Sigh!

This pendant is amazing! It is also fused glass and one of a kind! Look at the great colors in this pendant. The base glass is black with layers of color and some sparkling cz's! Wow! I love it! It reminds me of a painting where the colors flow from one part of the painting into the other.

There are a lot of other items in Leslie's store. I love the fused glass! Glass continues to fascinate me. Isn't Leslie's work amazing? Wow!

Monday, September 20, 2010

Happy Anniversary, Pixie Marie, my sweet princess! It's been a year now since you came into my life. You filled a big void in my heart, and that wasn't easy to do. I love you, my sweet girl. I hope you're happy here. You bring so much joy to so many people, not just me. Do you want a cupcake? I think we'll have to celebrate today, even if it gives you gas!

Sunday, September 19, 2010

It's getting to be that time of year! The leaves are falling. Daylight is much shorter than it was a month ago. Autumn is here, and with the onset of autumn comes the harvest and the spooky time of the year. Last year, I posted this Easy Peasy Skull Tutorial. This year, I thought I'd show you how I make bones. Like with most beads, there are as many ways to make bones as there are beaders. Well, maybe not that many, but there are a lot of ways to make bones. This is how I make a very simple bone.

The bone is the photo is sort of a short, fat bone, but you can make your bones any length and have any girth that you would like. You can also decorate your bones any way you like. I am keeping this bone simple because of time and space. See the end of the tutorial for the tools you will need.

Step 1: Make a simple tube bead. I used orange sherbet so that the details of this bone would show up better. Use any color you like.

Step 2: Bulk up each end of the bead by adding a spacer either at the end of the tube, (just make sure the spacer fuses with the tube,) or on the ends of the tube. In the photo the right side had the spacer put on top of the glass and on the left side the spacer was put next to the glass.

Step 3: Add 3-4 dots on the glass at end of each tube. These will be the bulky part of the bone, and they will be your guides for the next step. You can space them evenly or not. That's up to you.

Step 4: Melt a small amount of glass at the end of your glass rod. Using the dots as a guide, from the middle, swipe the glass to the top of the dot.Repeat this step on each side of the bone with each dot. Remember to go from the middle to the top of your bone.

This is what your bone looks like when you have completed Step 4.

Step 5: Now, let gravity work for you. Tilt your mandrel to about a 45 degree angle and let the glass flow a little bit on each tip.

Step 6: Tilt the bone to the other side and let the glass flow just a little to define the shape of the bone.

Remember, Step 5 and Step 6 shouldn't take too long. Don't let the bone become a gushy mess! All you want to do is to melt the glass that is on top of the dots and let it flow to the ends.

Step 7: Admire your creation for about 10 seconds then stick that baby in the kiln. Let it soak according to your schedule.

Tools:

a coated mandrelglass rod in your color choicea marvera torch ( I have a mini cc which I run with 2 oxycons.)kilnpatiencepassionlove of glass and beads

I hope you enjoy this tutorial and find it useful. Have fun! You can find me on Facebook. I hope you post photos of your creations on my "like" page.If you like my page, you can also add your name to list for the chance to win a teapot pendant. Just look for the teapot pendant and sign up.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Three Beautiful Things This Week was inspired by a wonderful blog that Clare writes called Three Beautiful Things. Everyday, Clare writes about 3 Beautiful Things that happen each day in her life. It's a wonderful blog! I can only hope to imitate her in a very small way.

1. Yesterday we celebrated Jenny's birthday! What a blessing I have in my children. I am so privileged to have been there when they were born and to have had them in my life for so many years! Happy Birthday, Jenny!I love you and Nick so very, very much!

2. At the beginning of this week a box arrived in the mail marked from the "Newbies." When I opened the box I not only cried, I sobbed because of the joy this gesture brought to me. There were 3 boxes and a bag. The boxes were addressed to me, Jenny and Nick. The bag was for Pixie. l don't know how to say this, but I am so blessed with wonderful online friends!

3. How do you say thank you to the kindnesses of people? I continue to try, but I don't think the words are enough. Yesterday, I received my order from The Hound's Closet on Etsy for Pixie. Remember the collar I ordered? Well, in addition to the collar, there was another collar with a message that said, "Happy birthday, Pixie." How sweet was that? Thank you just isn't enough.

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

I found A Little Stubborn Greyhound shopping Etsy.Isn't this greyhound sweet, and how many times have I see this look from Pixie? Many, many times! I found this print in ElleJW's shop on Etsy. She has so many great dog and cat prints there. You will want to have a good look in her shop!

Every greyhound owner knows you need at least one sweater for your dog to help them get through the cool fall nights and the cold winter nights. Here's a pdf pattern so that you can make your own. This pattern comes with a pattern for a snood, too, to keep their ears and heads warm. I found this pattern in aandboriginalsdogs store on Etsy. There are some great patterns there for dogs of all sizes!

How about these great greyhound earrings? I love them! I found them in Chevre Feuille's shop on Etsy. She's got some great items in her shop, and they are not just greyhound items. Check it out!

I have to show you what I just ordered for Pixe---------------->It's a smoking hot collar from The Hounds' Closet on Etsy. They specialize in the Martingale collar which is best suited for greyhounds. We can both play with fire! Don't you just love it!

Last, but not least, is my princess: Miss Pixie Marie. She'd love all of these items, but I know that she will especially love her new collar!

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

With the onset of fall comes the onset of "hot dish" season in the midwest. Until I moved to the midwest many years ago, I had never heard the term "hot dish." It wasn't long before I realized that

HOT DISH = CASSEROLE, only with a few variations.

To make a successful "hot dish," one must have a starch (can be tater tots), a meat (usually hamburger), a canned or frozen veggie (many times, corn),along with a can of soup (usually cream of mushroom,) then this mixture is topped off with something crunchy, (usually potato chips or bread crumbs), which is usually topped off with a little bit of cheese (usually cheddar). You bake this mixture for 45 - 60 minutes in a 350 degree oven and serve. This is a classic midwestern Hot Dish! These are most commonly found on kitchen tables all over the midwest, church suppers, family get togethers etc. At every event, you find that there are variations on this recipe. The easiest way to remember is: starch + meat + soup + vegetable + crunchy + cheese. Bake. Serve. Easy Peasy! Now, what is your favorite Hot Dish?

Monday, September 13, 2010

Look what came in the mail on the same day I received my newbie box! I had ordered these from Paula last week, and with MUCH encouragement from me, she had them out in the mail that day! (I think she just got tired of me calling her and asking if she had mailed them yet. You wouldn't think anyone would get upset about a 5 AM call!)

Paula makes wonderful lampwork beads, but I have come to see her emerging talent in the area of enameling! These earrings are a result of her skill! I love them, and they are mine! Yahooo!

Paula has two Etsy stores. The first one she opened was for the purpose of selling her lampwork beads. It's called Island Top Glass Art. Take a look at her beads! They are truly awesome!!!!!

Her second store was a natural progression of her talent. In this store, Island Top Gems, Paula showcase her jewelry. Now, Paula does have her lampwork bead jewelry, and you can check that out when you visit her store, but now I want you to see her enameling work!

Look at this beautiful angel! She's in Paula's new store. Isn't she amazing? Paula takes a plain piece of copper, shapes it into something like this angel, and then she enamels her piece! Wow! This is one beautiful angel!

I love these earrings too! They are also in Paula's shop! Paula blends colors and fires them in her kiln! You really need to ask her about her work with enamels. I strongly suggest you do, too.

Oh, and see this angel? It was in my "Newbie box." Thank you, Paula, I love it!!!!!!